New Hope for Natural Weight Loss

May 09, 2009

Researchers have discovered that mice given curcumin experience a reduction in the formation of fat tissue and the blood vessels that feed it. Curcumin is the major polyphenol in the spice turmeric.

The growth and expansion of fat tissues requires new blood vessels, a process known as angiogenesis. In fat tissue, this process is mediated by the secretion of adipokines, such as leptin, adiponectin, resistin, interleukin-6 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The researchers first investigated the effect of curcumin in cultured human cells to which adipokines had been added to stimulate angiogenesis. They found the ability of curcumin to inhibit angiogenesis was partly due to the reduced expression of VEGF.

They then fed mice a high-fat diet supplemented with 500 milligrams curcumin per kilogram diet for 12 weeks. Weight gain was reduced in mice that received curcumin. The researchers attributed this reduction to a decrease in total body fat in the curcumin-fed animals. Mice that received curcumin also had lower liver weights, and experienced a reduction in VEGF, indicating reduced angiogenesis.

Furthermore, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and free fatty acids were lower in mice that received curcumin compared with groups of unsupplemented animals.

Curcumin is the pigment that gives turmeric -- a spice most often associated with Indian food, curry and yellow mustard -- its yellow-orange color.

Revered in India as "holy powder," turmeric has been used for centuries to treat wounds, infections and other health problems, and in recent years there has been increasing research into turmeric's main ingredient curcumin and its astonishing array of antioxidant, anti-cancer, antibiotic, antiviral and other properties.

Now we can add weight loss to the long list of turmeric’s benefits. The study found that curcumin reduced the formation of fat tissue by suppressing the blood vessels needed to form it. As the researchers stated:

Turmeric has emerged as one of nature’s most powerful potential healers, and curcumin has been shown to influence more than 700 genes. Said Dr. David Frawely, founder and director of the American Institute for Vedic Studies in Santa Fe, New Mexico:

“If I had only one single herb to depend upon for all possible health and dietary needs, I would without much hesitation choose the Indian spice Turmeric. There is little it cannot do in the realm of healing and much that no other herb is able to accomplish.”

For example, a study released just a few months ago found curcumin is able to “discipline” cells and get them back into working order. This not only improves your cells’ resistance to infections, but it also may help prevent cancer.

In fact, there have been many promising studies looking into curcumin as a potent cancer-fighter, and so far it’s been found to:

• Inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells• Inhibit the transformation of cells from normal to tumor• Help your body destroy mutated cancer cells so they cannot spread throughout your body• Decrease inflammation

• Enhance liver function• Inhibit the synthesis of a protein thought to be instrumental in tumor formation• Prevent the development of additional blood supply necessary for cancer cell growth

Turmeric should not be your only strategy for weight loss if you’re currently overweight or obese, but it certainly can’t hurt to add it to your comprehensive program.

You can reap some of turmeric’s health benefits simply by using fresh turmeric powder in your cooking, however when you heat this spice you may lose some of its benefits. So if you don’t enjoy the warm peppery flavor this spice lends to food, or if you want to be sure you’re getting the maximum benefits that raw turmeric has to offer, you can take it in supplement form.

If you have addressed these three components and are still struggling to lose weight, there are some additional safe, natural supplements available that can help support normal weight loss and weight maintenance functions, and the one I recommend is called BioTHIN.

Again, supplements like turmeric and BioTHIN cannot do all the work for you, as the three steps above are really the crux of the program. However, they may help to jumpstart your weight loss and help you stay on track with your new healthy lifestyle.

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